Chapter 150: Crossed Sashes

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Translator: Soafp

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Lanterns and tiny lightbulbs hung overhead. The purple twilight gradually deepened into black, and precisely because of the growing darkness, the festival scenery shone even brighter. Sora gripped Ginji's hand tightly.

“Sora?”

“…I think my nerves are acting up again.”

Up until now, she had always watched this kind of scene from a distance — now that she was part of it, a wave of anxiety washed over her. Seeing that, Ginji grinned broadly and pulled a set of tickets out of the drawstring pouch (prepared by Sora) he carried.

“President Iwasaki gave us free festival tickets. Let's go already.”

“W-Wait, I'm not mentally ready yet…”

“You don't need to be. Here — fries.”

“Wha—!? When did you even buy those?”

He handed her a cup of limp French fries, clearly bought from a nearby stall.

Sora picked one out with her free hand, popped it in her mouth, and stuck her tongue out playfully.

“…Salty.”

“They're supposed to be. Now it's my turn—how the hell am I supposed to eat these?”

His free hand was holding the fries, and the other was still tightly held by Sora. When he tried to pull away, Sora refused to let go.

“Like this, obviously. Say ‘ahh'.”

Sora picked out a fry and offered it to him. Ginji didn't hesitate — he bit down and swallowed.

“Salty!”

“Ahaha, thanks, Ginji. I've got to enjoy the things I'm not used to, right?”

“Exactly. Gimme another one.”

“It's dangerous to walk and eat like this. I'll hold the cup.”

From then on, they fed each other, laughing as they finished off the fries.

Ginji went on to devour frankfurters, grilled corn, and takoyaki.

Though they occasionally let go of each other's hands, they always rejoined them while walking.

As they continued on, it seemed the line of food stalls looped around at a small riverside shrine.

Sora, who didn't eat much, had been nibbling on small portions or taking bites from Ginji's food. Even so, she looked pretty full.

“This side's all festival games — lottery, goldfish scooping, shooting games, candy molds and stuff.”

“Yeah, looks like the route is designed that way. Eat first, then play once you've settled down a bit. We've got time before the fireworks — let's try some stuff.”

As Ginji suggested this, having just finished a whole hashimaki (a savory rolled pancake), Sora wiped the sauce from his mouth with a handkerchief.

“You got sauce on your face. …There. All clean. Y'know, I haven't done this kind of thing in forever — probably like ten years ago? The only times I've worn kimono were for parties or tea ceremonies and stuff.”

“For real!? That's surprising, considering you know how to put on a yukata.”

“Hmm… The closest memory I have is doing target practice with balls at a foreign festival. It was one where you throw them at a wooden board painted with a demon's face.”

“No idea what that is… Sounds like a festival game with a real deep message…”

“So I guess Japanese festivals feel pretty new to me.”

“Huh, then if we compete, I've got the advantage — I go to these every year.”

“Grr, is that a challenge? I'm actually pretty good at these, you know! …But wait, it'll be hard to play games with my sleeves like this. Hold on a sec.”

Just before the loop around the shrine, Sora pulled out a black waist cord. She brought a folded paper napkin to her lips and held it in place, then used her mouth to grip the cord. With practiced ease, she tied her sleeves back with a tasuki cord. Her white, slender arms became visible as the sleeves lifted.

Ginji only realized after a second why she held the napkin — to prevent her lipstick from smudging onto the cord.
The whole act looked like a scene from a painting, and even passersby who had been watching from afar let out audible sighs of admiration.

“You look cool.”

“Hmm? What does?”

Even the way she turned to respond was full of grace and refinement — it was clear she'd been taught properly in such matters.

“I'll tie yours too. Turn around.”

Doing as he was told, Ginji turned his back, and in no time, she had his sleeves bound as well.

“All done! Whoa, Ginji with a tasuki cord looks awesome too! Crap… I might've just created something dangerous!”

“No, I should be the one saying that! You… seriously, you're just…”

Ginji held his head in his hands.

She must've put in a lot of effort to learn how to dress femininely — even though she had once been forced to keep her distance from femininity, to the point of longing for makeup and yukata.

There were so many things he wanted to say to Sora now, but after encouraging her into this festive mood himself, it didn't feel like the right time to say them.

“What's wrong, Ginji? You've got a weird look on your face.”

Unable to admit he'd been captivated by the way she tied the tasuki, Ginji clapped his hands against his cheeks to refocus.

“Let's do this, Sora. Loser has to do a penalty game.”

“Sounds good! Bring it on!”

And with that, they decided to dive into the games, shifting their feelings into full festival competition mode.